HP MicroServer and Windows 2008 is a nice experience

I’ve been running Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 Foundation on Marjorie, our HP MicroServer and I have to say it’s been a pleasant experience so far, Windows 2008 out of the box is very easy to use, the automated installation which is adapted for our MicroServer as it’s the reseller kit was very good, and it runs smoothly.

So what’s the spec?

• 4GB RAM (probably more than you need for Windows 2008 as a file server)
• 1x 160GB drive for the OS
• 1x 500GB drive (this is our data drive)
• 1x 500GB drive (this is for our shared backup/dump drive)

So how is it setup ?

Simple, we installed Windows 2008 R2 Foundation Server, joined it to our network and it’s now a mini file server on demand, linked to our Mac (where I do my main work) and our Fujitsu MX130 S1 (or Bernard).

So what would my first server cost if using the HP MicroServer:

• HP MicroServer bundle which included the 4GB memory + DVD writer drive – £274 (before £100 cash back)
• 1x500GB hard drives – standard SATA ones from Amazon – £32 each from Amazon.
• Windows 2008 R2 Foundation – £129
• Acer 19 inch widescreen TFT monitor – £54 – it was the cheapest/most price and function accessible one and I love it.

So total cost for a MicroServer for the SMB space, where you want your own offline server – £489 (before the £100 cash back at retail price) a stunning deal! At this point we could mention the numerous bundles on offer that are available, the ESX test bundle, the NAS device bundle offering the opportunity to configure your MicroServer to your testing or business need (a micro-NAS). Regardless if it’s your first server, or something to do some testing with, the MicroServer really is recommended.  Top likes:

• Ease to fit hard drives (though in the next edition can we replace the screws with clips)
• Compact and quiet – you hardly know it’s on
• Everything is ready out of the box (except we had to fit the DVD drive as our one came from a reseller and we didn’t want to pay fitting)
• Windows install as we wrote about here, was about six mouse clicks and then you had to set a password, effortless.
• Deploy as a file server now, when you run out of space, or it’s time to upgrade, make it your ESX test platform or baby NAS with FreeNAS.

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